Grep once completed then move to another directory

[learingperl01]

Hello, I am trying to write a script to grep through a bunch of file for different words. I am having problems moving the files to another directory once my grep is done processing. How can I tell my script to only move the files once the grep is complete. Example if I am grepping for abc def zzz against a file called test.txt. I first want to ensure that the grep for all three (abc def zzz) is complete before it tries to move the file. How can I force my script to check that the grep command is done running, once it's done running then its ok to move the file?

thanks,

FYI I am just doing a for files in /path/*; do etc...

 

[KenCunningham]

Check for it in the process list using ps. Alternatively, use the $? variable to check for completion.

Sorry I can't expand any more just now as I have to go - perhaps someone could jump in and elaborate (or give better options!).

I want to be good, is that not enough?

 

[AnotherAlan]

Just as Ken suggested.
If you are moving files based on grepping for a selection of words then you could use egrep and then use an if statement to check for completion and process the files;
i.e
for files in /path/*; do
egrep "aaa|bbb|ccc" $files > /dev/null
if [ $? = 0 ]; then
< whatever you want to do >
fi
done

Hope this helps.

 

[learingperl01]

great thanks for the help, that worked.